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2025-03-26T21:19:18Z

Disambiguating links to Puducherry (link changed to Puducherry (city)) using DisamAssist.

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{{Lead extra info|date=August 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Short description|Indian luxury tourist train}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Infobox train
| name = ''Golden Chariot''
| image = Golden-chariot-logo.png
| caption = Logo of ''Golden Chariot''
| interiorimage =
| interiorcaption =
| service =
| manufacturer = Indian Railways
| factory = [[Integral Coach Factory]], Chennai
| family = Luxury Trains
| refurbishment =
| replaced =
| formation =
| fleetnumbers =
| operator = [[Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation]] (KSTDC)
| depots = Whitefield, Bangalore
| lines = Bangalore-Mysore-Hassan-Hospet-Badami-Vasco-da-Gama(Goa)-Bangalore (South Western Railway)
| yearconstruction = 2008
| yearservice = 2008
}}

The '''''Golden Chariot''''' is a luxury [[tourist train]] that connects the important tourist spots in the [[India]]n states of [[Karnataka]], [[Goa]], [[Kerala]] & [[Tamil Nadu]] as well as [[Puducherry (city)|Puducherry]], depending on the selected itinerary. The train is operated by the [[Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation]] and The Maple Group handles the hospitality services on the train.<ref name = Wired/><ref name = Rajavilas/><ref>{{cite news |title=₹40-crore loss for Golden Chariot since launch |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/40-crore-loss-for-golden-chariot-since-launch/article24455242.ece |access-date=16 February 2023 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=18 July 2018 |language=en-IN}}</ref>

It is named after the [[:File:Hampi8.JPG|Stone Chariot]] in the Vitthala Temple at [[Hampi]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=About Train|url=https://www.goldenchariot.co.uk/about-train/|access-date=2021-09-16|website=The Golden Chariot|language=en-US}}</ref> The train has 19 coaches which are coloured purple and gold, and reflect the logo of a mythological animal with the head of an elephant and a body of a lion.<ref name="Colours">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/28/stories/2007082861290500.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071111124753/http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/28/stories/2007082861290500.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-11-11|title=Golden Chariot to sport regal colours|date=2008-08-28|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2009-04-21|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> ''The Golden Chariot'' had its maiden commercial run on 10 March 2008,<ref>{{cite news|date=2008-02-28|title=Golden Chariot train's first commercial run on March 10|work=[[The Times of India]]|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-02-28/india/27743828_1_golden-chariot-ktdc-19-coach-train|url-status=dead|access-date=2009-04-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024131051/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-02-28/india/27743828_1_golden-chariot-ktdc-19-coach-train|archive-date=2012-10-24}}</ref> and generally runs weekly during the months of October–March, departing on Sundays during the 2022-23 season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Golden Chariot Official Website - Book Luxury Train Tour Packages in India|url=https://www.goldenchariot.org/ratesanddates|access-date=2021-09-16|website=www.goldenchariot.org}}</ref> The train is designed on the lines of the more popular Indian luxury train ''[[Palace on Wheels]]''.

All journeys offered by the train originate and end at Bengaluru.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Poonam |first1=Binayak |title=The cost to ride on India's luxury trains may surprise you |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/18/luxury-trains-in-india-maharajas-express-to-palace-on-wheels-.html |access-date=29 May 2024 |work=CNBC |date=17 April 2024 |language=en |quote=All journeys start and end in Bengaluru.}}</ref>

==History==
When the success of Palace on Wheels reached the corridors of the Karnataka State Tourism and Development Corporation (KSTDC), it resulted in the signing of MOU between the state tourism board and the [[Indian Railways]] in 2002. Later the [[Integral Coach Factory]] (ICF) was assigned the task to give shape to this luxury train. Approximately 900 design layouts were prepared by the engineers before finalizing the design.

Architect Kusum Pendse worked with a team of 200 carpenters to complete the designs of these railway coaches and the process took around 4 months to complete.

On 23 January 2008, ''Golden Chariot'' was unveiled on the tracks veneered in classic colors of purple and gold symbolizing elegance and golden jubilee celebration of Karnataka.<ref name="40cr">{{cite news |last1=Swamy |first1=Rohini |title=South India's Golden Chariot has gone off the rails, but looks to salvage itself next year |url=https://theprint.in/statedraft/south-indias-golden-chariot-has-gone-off-the-rails-but-looks-to-salvage-itself-next-year/167395/ |access-date=16 February 2023 |work=ThePrint |date=23 December 2018}}</ref> An inauguration ceremony was organized at the [[Yeswanthpur Junction railway station]] wherein the [[President of India]] [[Pratibha Patil|Pratibha Devisingh Patil]] flagged off the train.

On 10 March 2008, ''Golden Chariot'' started its maiden journey from [[Bengaluru]] to [[Goa]].<ref name="2008 inception of train">{{cite news |last1=Poonam |first1=Binayak |title=The cost to ride on India's luxury trains may surprise you |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/18/luxury-trains-in-india-maharajas-express-to-palace-on-wheels-.html |access-date=7 August 2024 |work=CNBC |agency=[[CNBC]] |date=17 April 2024 |language=en |quote=Launched in 2008, the Golden Chariot runs across South India, past historic towns, sun-kissed beaches, jungle-covered hills, temples and safaris.}}</ref>

In January 2020, The Golden Chariot was handed over by the Karnataka Tourism Department to the IRCTC for the purpose of operations and marketing.<ref name="handed">{{cite news |title=IRCTC Golden Chariot history |url=https://www.zeebiz.com/indian-railways/photo-gallery-irctc-golden-chariot-2021-1st-itinerary-details-check-out-kstdc-tour-package-destinations-and-other-details-about-this-luxury-karnataka-tourism-train-153063/irctc-golden-chariot-history-153066 |access-date=16 February 2023 |work=[[Zee Business]] |date=18 March 2021}}</ref>

The train was relaunched in November 2022 and has done one trip since then.<ref>{{cite news |last1=T.R. |first1=Jahnavi |title=Insufficient occupancy, hefty haulage charges put the brakes on Golden Chariot |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/insufficient-occupancy-hefty-haulage-charges-put-the-brakes-on-golden-chariot/article66614622.ece |access-date=23 August 2023 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=13 March 2023 |language=en-IN |quote=Post its grand relaunch in November 2022, the luxury train Golden Chariot has taken only one trip.}}</ref>

==Facilities==
The train offers accommodation in 44 cabins in 18 coaches that are named after dynasties that ruled the region: [[Kadamba Dynasty|Kadamba]], [[Hoysala]], [[Rashtrakuta]], [[Western Ganga Dynasty|Ganga]], [[Chalukya]], [[Bahamani]], [[Adil Shahi]], [[Sangama Dynasty|Sangama]], [[Satavahana]], [[Yadukula]] and [[Vijayanagara Empire|Vijayanagar]].<ref>{{cite news |title=IRCTC to run Karnataka's Golden Chariot train from January 2021; here are the packages |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/irctc-to-run-karnatakas-golden-chariot-train-from-january-2021-6807183/ |work=[[The Indian Express]] |date=20 October 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

The facilities also includes two restaurants, a lounge bar, conference room, gym and spa.<ref name = Rajavilas>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/life/2008/09/26/stories/2008092650010100.htm|title=Rajavilas on rails |last=Somashekar |first=G.R.N.|date=2008-09-06|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2009-04-21}}</ref> It has onboard internet connectivity via a USB-stick, and satellite antennae providing live television service in the cabins.<ref name = Wired>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/01/stories/2008020154680700.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209115446/http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/01/stories/2008020154680700.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-02-09|title=The Golden Chariot is a totally wired train|date=2008-02-01|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2009-04-21|location=Chennai, India}}</ref>

==Destinations==
The Golden Chariot offers 3 itineraries: Jewels of South, and Pride of Karnataka, each lasting 6 nights & 7 days, and Glimpses of Karnataka, lasting 3 nights & 4 days. It also offers a [[Vijayadashami|Dasara]] festival tour in the month of October.<ref>{{cite news |last1=R |first1=Jahnavi T. |title=A year of revival lit by the fire of revenge tourism |url=https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/travel/a-year-of-revival-lit-by-the-fire-of-revenge-tourism/article66263506.ece |access-date=16 February 2023 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=24 December 2022 |language=en-IN}}</ref>

===Jewels of South===
Jewels of South offers a six day tour which departs from [[Bangalore City railway station|Bengaluru]] and visits [[Mysuru Junction railway station|Mysuru]], [[Hampi]], [[Kabini River]], [[Hassan, Karnataka|Hassan]], [[Badami]], and [[Goa]], returning to Bengaluru.<ref>{{cite news |title=Golden Chariot premium train leaves after Kochi stopover |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/golden-chariot-premium-train-leaves-after-kochi-stopover/article66183108.ece |access-date=17 February 2023 |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=25 November 2022 |language=en-IN}}</ref> [[Mamallapuram]] has been added to the circuit.<ref>{{cite news |title=Make Golden Chariot viable, Bommai writes to Railways |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2023/jan/06/make-golden-chariot-viable-bommai-writes-to-railways-2535202.html |access-date=17 February 2023 |work=The New Indian Express}}</ref>

=== Pride of Karnataka ===
Pride of Karnataka departs Bengaluru and visits [[Bandipur]], [[Mysuru]], [[Dwarasamudra]], [[Chikamgaluru]], [[Hampi]], [[Pattadakal]] & [[Aihole]], and Goa, returning to Bengaluru.

=== Glimpses of Karnataka ===
Glimpses of Karnataka departs Bengaluru and visits Bandipur, Mysuru, and Hampi, returning to Bengaluru.

=== Dasara Tour ===
The department of tourism and the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) launched the Dasara tour to showcase the festival.<ref>{{cite news |title=Golden Chariot rolls out Dasara tour |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysuru/golden-chariot-rolls-out-dasara-tour/articleshow/54421594.cms |access-date=16 February 2023 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=20 September 2016}}</ref>

== Awards ==
The train has been awarded the title of "Asia's Leading Luxury Train" at World Travel Awards, 2013.<ref>{{cite news |title=Asia's Leading Luxury Train 2013 |url=https://www.worldtravelawards.com/award-asias-leading-luxury-train-2013 |access-date=16 February 2023 |work=World Travel Awards |language=en-gb}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{colbegin}}
*[[Fairy Queen]]
*[[Palace on Wheels]]
*[[Royal Orient]]
*[[Deccan Odyssey]]
*[[Mahaparinirvan Express]]
*[[Royal Rajasthan on Wheels]]
*[[Maharajas' Express]]
{{colend}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.goldenchariot.org The Golden Chariot Website]
{{commons category|Golden Chariot}}

{{Indian Luxury Trains}}
{{Indian Railways}}
{{Railways in Southern India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Golden Chariot}}
[[Category:Tourism in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Luxury trains in India]]
[[Category:Railway services introduced in 2008]]
[[Category:Tourism in Goa]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Goa]]
[[Category:2008 establishments in India]]

Golden Chariot - Revision history

imported>Onel5969: Disambiguating links to Puducherry (link changed to Puducherry (city)) using DisamAssist.